February 2024 Minutes
Minutes from Regular Quarterly Meeting on February 5, 2024
Mtg took place in person indoors at the Village Station.
Commenced at 4:03 p.m.; ended at 4:42
Members in attendance = 27
Guests: Scott Auer – General Manager Big Canoe
Lydell Mack – Dir. Operations for Big Canoe
NEXT MEETING is May 6, 2024 @ 4:00. - Venue : TBD
FYI: Meetings are scheduled for the 1st Monday of 2nd month of each quarter
(i.e. first Monday of Feb/May/Aug/Nov)
PROPOSAL for May or August Mtg: Include a demo re: proper and safe use of tools & equipment at the May or August 2024 meeting, which would be held outdoors to facilitate the demonstrations.
Committee members indicated interest in this.
NEXT WORK DAY: tbd
OPENING COMMENTS:
Mitch Waldman: Welcome TC members; Intro & welcome guests Scott Auer & Lydell Mack
Liz Scherer / Mitch: BC TC Membership:
Currently, 53 members (10 women + 43 men)
10 husband/wife teams
COMMENTS by SCOTT AUER, GM of Big Canoe
Scott & his wife moved to Big Canoe largely due to the BC trails
Thank you to the trail committee for the great trails and for taking on the maintenance of the trails; the BC staff could not maintain the trails without the help and hard work of the BCTC.
COMMENTS re: SAFETY EQUIPMENT by LYDELL MACK, BC Dir. of Operations
Hard hats are available at this mtg for members to use/take
Hearing protection & eye protection are forthcoming
Chainsaw safety chaps are available for distribution when needed; REMINDER: If your chainsaw chaps are snagged by a chainsaw, they should be replaced.
LIZ SCHERER: There is a pair of chainsaw safety chaps in the TC supply closet at the Borrow Pit; take it for your use if needed. Once taken, this pair will be replaced by BC POA.
TOP GOALS FOR 2024:
1- Steps: Replace deteriorating steps / install steps where needed
- Completed to date: Yellow Root access, Lower Falls/Lake Trail at Wilderness Parkway, Meadows on Gatalutsee, etc
2- Railroad Ties: Remove RR ties used for steps, barriers, benching, etc. due to the presence of creosote in the RR ties which is a toxin that can get into the soil.
Completed to date: Choctaw RR ties were removed and drainage improved and stairs listed above had railroad ties removed.
3- Erosion Control & Correction.
Completed to date: Meadows trail – Redirected drainage and filled in erosion areas, High Gap Connector and others. Public Works took care of the 150’ long erosion on the Choctaw Loop.
4- Secure & Stabilize Ruins (e.g. Choctaw bridge ruins; chimney towers at the Meadows, John Williams and Covered Bridge ruins)
-Discussion / Question: Are there preservation guidelines re: the proper way to handle this?
Mitch: he will reach out to the archeology professor that spoke at our earlier meeting.
Mike Permenter: will send info to Liz & Mitch re: his experience with the state’s historical preservation guidelines & info.
Ken Bechely: DOT had guidelines/contacts.
Mitch comment: Dion Golden’s heavy equipment greatly facilitates the above work, and we are most appreciative.
BORROW PIT:
Upcoming organization project of tools & equipment etc. this Spring
Alan Moffat is the tool contact. Reach out to him if missing tools or other concerns/questions.
Sign Out Sheet: Don’t forget to sign out the equipment you borrow. Clip board with sign out sheet is located in the smaller white cabinet on the wall to the right of the larger equipment cabinet.
MAINTENANCE COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS
Clearing Culverts – be aware that many culverts near and/or underlying trails are getting filled with silt and debris due to the heavy rains. Clear these as needed.
Especially be aware of leaf & stick debris clogging/backing up the culvert at the “intake” end of the culvert and remove as needed, but also check the “outtake” end. A pitchfork can be useful here.
Remove the silt that builds up inside the culvert OR loosen it so that it can be washed away in the next big rain. [TIP: Lydell Mack commented that the POA maintenance staff removes the silt they can reach with a shovel, and then they loosen the remaining silt by prodding with a pipe or stick so that it can be washed away.]
UPDATE eff 2/08/24: Liz has purchased a culvert cleaning tool for use by the BCTC.
2. Silt Fence Removal - The old silt fences located along & near some of the BC trails are unsightly and can be removed (e.g. the fencing near the Blazing Star access trail).
The metal stakes and wire can be disposed of in the Big Canoe metal recycling bin (located behind the trash dumpsters). The old cloth fencing can be rolled up and the BC maintenance crew will pick it up and dispose of it.
BCTC members discussed the best way to remove the stakes, which can be stubborn. A “highlift” jack with a chain can been used, but is heavy to carry to the trails (weighs 30-40 pounds).
UPDATE eff 2/08/24: Mitch has purchased a fence post removal tool for use by the BCTC.
3. Wet Kiosk Maps – Be sure to check the maps in your trail kiosks. If they are a soggy mess, remove and replace with dry maps.
COMPOSITE BENCHES & TABLES – update by Lydell Mack & Scott Auer
In 2024 - BC POA will be replacing wooden benches, chairs and tables located throughout the Big Canoe amenities with composite versions of same for durability purposes.
In 2025 - The POA goal is to begin replacing same on the trails on an as-needed basis for durability and uniformity purposes.
TO DO NOW:
Lydell Mack requested an inventory and location of the existing structures on the trails (e.g. benches, tables, steps and bridges).
Liz: In the meantime, continue to maintain the structures and seating on your trails with the “Miracle Mist” spray and pressure washing to keep the moss on these items under control.
SAFETY
“Stop the Bleed” Class:
9 members attended the “Stop the Bleed” class on January 19 taught by BC Public Safety and coordinated by the BC Wellness Collaborative.
BCTC members that were unable to attend indicated interest in attending this class if it could be offered again. Cost is $35 / person.
2. Updated First Aid Kits:
Two first aid kits were purchased at the class and will be present at each work day. Liz has one and Mitch has the second one.
Liz inventoried the kit contents at the meeting. Each kit contains: A simple-to-use tourniquet; rolled gauze (good for creating a sling or other uses); accordion gauze (good for packing wounds); chest wound bandages (to address sucking wounds); compression bandage; adhesive bandaids.
3. Be safety conscious! - Mitch reminded members that each work day starts with a safety talk and reminders to be aware when using chainsaws and “other sharps”. One example: sheath your machete when walking.
4. Safety Videos – Steve Papke and other members commented there are good equipment safety videos online; be sure to check them out. – See also item #1 in “Additional Comments” below.
TRAIL “ACCESSORIES” & FURNISHING APPEARING ON THE TRAILS
-These are not allowed and should be discouraged and disposed of.
Fairy Houses (photo showing colorful example was shown): Not allowed, especially if not made of natural materials from the woods. BCTC members should collect and dispose of any colored, plastic, man-made fairy house materials. These materials pose a hazard to wildlife and are not in keeping with the natural surroundings.
The “memorial bench” that anonymously appeared on the Blackwell Creek trail will be removed and stored at the borrow pit until the owner can claim it and retrieve it.
Reminder – if access trail materials on private property or “trail accessories” on private property are visible from BC trails and violate BC rules, contact Treena and let her handle the matter with the property owner.
Scott Auer – The POA will initiate an appropriate “trail etiquette” PR campaign, reminding folks to “leave no trace” when visiting the BC woods and trails.
DONATIONS:
Metal Detector - Sandy & Michael Shook donated a metal detector to the BCTC. It has already been used to discover some historical metal items (e.g. hinges) at the Choctaw ruins. If interested in using it, contact Alan Moffatt.
Reminder: Earlier in the year, the BC Wildflower Bunch donated $3000 to the BCTC.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Chainsaw “how to” video – link to this great video was provided by Steve Papke. Be sure to check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mcGl3gjvsQ
Borrow Pit access: The gate leading to the area was unexpectedly locked during working hours.
Lydell Mack – the Borrow Pit area should be accessible/unlocked during the hours that public works crew members are working, which is 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on work days.
Box containing the gate key is at the hut at Borrow Pit main entrance.
Can walk around the gate if only pedestrian access is needed.